Brad Paisley is always busy. Between returning to co-host the CMA Awards with Carrie Underwood, recording new music and touring, he’s also doing something else to serve his Nashville community.
Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley have collaborated with Belmont University in setting up a free grocery store called “The Store.”
The Store will be in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, with the hope to provide food for 3,000 people per year.
The idea sparked when Kimberly noticed that her children were acting entitled and spoiled in regards to Thanksgiving and Christmas. The entire Paisley family went to Unity Shoppe, a non-profit charity that operates a year-round free grocery and clothing store.
“We came away surprised by what the organization had taught us,” Paisley shared on The Store website. “Most people don’t want handouts. They want dignity and respect. Most people just want to become self-sufficient.”
Paisley also shared his vision for The Store with The Tennesseean: “This is a grocery store with dignity for people who have fallen on hard times. All of us are one unforeseen disaster away from rock bottom. It’s nice to think about a place where when that happens to someone, they can use it to get back on their feet.”
Along with opening the Store, the organization will be providing on-the-job training, along with Healthcare and Legal Aid Ministry Clinics. The Paisleys truly just want to help families in need.
Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher told the paper, “At Belmont, we believe the greatest privilege anyone can ever have is to be in a position to help and serve another person. Brad and Kim are living out that mission in an extraordinary fashion in every aspect of their lives, particularly through the creation of The Store. We are proud to partner with them on this initiative, and I’m excited to watch as our current students pour their gifts and abilities into supporting the needs of The Store’s patrons.”
